| EMERSON ELECTRIC CO. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120126659 | FULL ROUND STATOR ASSEMBLY AND ELECTROMAGNETIC MACHINE HAVING HIGH SLOT FILL - An electromagnetic machine has a rotor and a stator core. The stator core has a plurality of radially-extending teeth and a plurality of bridges having opposite ends secured to corresponding teeth. Stator windings are positioned at least partially in slots between the teeth. Each of the bridges is in a compressed configuration and includes a midsection radially offset from the ends. In a method of making an electromagnetic machine, stator windings are wound around the teeth of the stator core while the stator core is in an expanded configuration in which each of the slots is relatively wider and the configuration of the stator core is changed after winding, for example by compressing or otherwise deforming the bridges, to a compressed configuration in which each of the slots is relatively narrower. The bridges hold the teeth in the expanded configuration facilitating high slot fill without using a segmented stator. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120118989 | SMART ENERGY CONTROLLED WATER HEATER - A control module for a water heater includes a switching module that receives a voltage supply and outputs the voltage supply to the water heater. The water heater includes an electrical junction box that receives the voltage supply. A communication module communicates with at least one of an energy meter and an energy network external to the water heater and the control module, and receives information from the at least one of the energy meter and the energy network. The control module is mounted on the water heater and the voltage supply passes through or adjacent to the control module. The control module determines an operating characteristic of the water heater based on the voltage supply and selectively actuates the switching module to turn on and turn off the voltage supply to the water heater in response to the operating characteristic and the information. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120098384 | End Caps for Stator Segments of Segmented Stator Assemblies - An example end cap of a stator segment is provided for use in locating wires in a segmented stator assembly in desired positions. The end cap generally includes a body and an inboard wall. An identifier is defined by the inboard wall of the end cap for use in determining wire sizes to be used with the end cap. Terminal pockets are provided in the body for receiving the wires and making desired electrical connections, and steps located in the terminal pockets help secure the connectors in the terminal pockets. Plateaus, and troughs defined in the plateaus, are located outside the terminal pockets for use in trimming wires received in the terminal pockets as desired. And, retaining structures are located around the end cap to help with locating the wires in the desired positions. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120098380 | End Caps for Stator Segments of Segmented Stator Assemblies - An example end cap of a stator segment is provided for use in locating wires in a segmented stator assembly in desired positions. The end cap generally includes a body and an inboard wall. An identifier is defined by the inboard wall of the end cap for use in determining wire sizes to be used with the end cap. Terminal pockets are provided in the body for receiving the wires and making desired electrical connections, and steps located in the terminal pockets help secure the connectors in the terminal pockets. Plateaus, and troughs defined in the plateaus, are located outside the terminal pockets for use in trimming wires received in the terminal pockets as desired. And, retaining structures are located around the end cap to help with locating the wires in the desired positions. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120089473 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HISTORICAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT - A networked computer system is provided for collecting and displaying historical content comprising a plurality of digital objects associated with a historical period or event. The computer system is comprised of one or more networked servers for processing the historical content. The servers are configured to access a database of host historical content input by an operator and user historical content input by a user, and display the historical content. One or more software applications running on the servers facilitate collection, integration and display of historical content. The software applications provide a template accessible to a user via a computer in communication with the network. The template is configured to allow the user to input the user historical content and relate a portion of the host historical content to create a user website integrating the user historical content with a portion of the host historical content. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120080546 | FOOD WASTE DISPOSER AND MOUNTING FLANGE THEREFOR WITH MIS-INSTALLATION PREVENTION FEATURES - A mounting assembly for a food waste disposer includes a lower mounting flange having mounting tabs that engage with mounting ramps of an upper mounting flange. The lower mounting flange is rotated with its mounting tabs riding on the mounting ramps of the upper mounting flange to bring the upper and lower mounting flanges securely together. The lower mounting flange includes mis-installation prevention features that if all the mounting tabs of the lower mounting flange are not properly engaged with corresponding mounting ramps of the upper mounting flange, at least one of the mis-installation prevention features will interfere with one of the mounting ramps and prevent the lower mounting flange from being rotated. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080102 | Reversible Flow Valve Assembly - A valve is provided that comprises a valve chamber including first and second valve port openings in communication with first and second inlet/outlets, respectively. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the valve chamber. A first valve plate is rotatably coupled to the shaft that is disposed in the valve chamber over the first valve port opening. The first valve plate has a first opening positioned so as to align with the first valve port opening. The first valve plate is configured to rotate from its closed position covering the first valve port opening to an open position, where rotation of the first valve plate adjustably positions at least a portion of the first opening over the first valve port opening. A second valve plate is configured to rotate with the first valve plate, and to cover the second valve port opening. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120074807 | Retaining Sleeve for Over Molding Magnets - A retaining sleeve for retaining magnets inserted therein so that the magnets may be overmolded with a polymer pursuant to the manufacture of a rotor for an electric motor. The retaining sleeve comprising a generally cylindrical portion having an inner peripheral surface concentric about a central axis and a plurality of retaining partitions extending inward from the inner peripheral surface of the generally cylindrical portion, wherein the retaining partitions are configured to at least substantially limit movement of the magnets toward the central axis upon the magnets being inserted in the retaining sleeve at their respective locations inward of the inner peripheral surface of the retaining sleeve and between retaining partitions. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120074129 | TRACK SYSTEM FOR HEATER ASSEMBLY - A heater assembly includes a heating element assembly having a resistive heating element connected to a housing member. First and second guide members are oppositely and outwardly positioned with respect to the heating element assembly and extend away from the housing member. A patch plate includes an installation aperture and first and second wings extending away from the patch plate. The first and second guide members are positioned to individually slidingly engage with one of the first and second wings thereby defining a track system to permit the heating element assembly to be slidingly received through the installation aperture without contact between the resistive heating element and the patch plate. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120043846 | MOTOR WITH IMPEDANCE BALANCED WINDING - A three-phase electric motor assembly is configured to include phase windings that are substantially equally distributed between radially inner portions and radially outer portions within axial slots of a stator core. At least two of the phase windings each include radial inner portions within selected slots and radial outer portions within other slots, such that each of the radial inner portions is positioned within a slot radially inward from the radial outer portion of another of the phase windings, and each of the radial outer portions is positioned within a slot radially outward from the radial inner portion of another of the phase windings. The motor assembly provides balanced impedance between the phase windings to minimize losses attributed to inter-phase circulating currents, increasing overall motor efficiency. The arrangement of the phase windings configures the winding for more direct exposure of at least a part of each phase winding to a cooling system for enhanced heat rejection from end coils. Methods for inserting partial phase windings that can be mechanically executed are also provided. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120043844 | Direct Drive Rotor with Metal Coupler - An overmolded-type rotor for an outer rotor-type electric motor, wherein, in addition to a backing ring and magnets, a metallic coupler that comprises an inner axial surface configured to interface with a shaft to be driven by the rotor and an outer axial surface that corresponds to a multiplicity of outer teeth is overmolded with a polymer frame. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120042759 | SOIL PIPE CUTTER JAW FOR PRESS TOOL AND RELATED METHODS - A cutting tool is described. The tool engages with a standard press tool and is used for cutting brittle pipe such as cast iron soil pipe. The tool features a cutting chain assembly that is tensioned about the pipe by a pair of pivotally moveable arms. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120039679 | SYSTEMS AND DEVICES FOR PERFORMING POWERED THREADING OPERATIONS - A device and associated system for threading, cutting, and reaming pipe ends are described. The device and system utilizes a brushless DC electric motor. The devices also include on-board electronics and operator interface(s) to provide sophisticated control and information as to the various operations. Also described are methods of operating the devices and several different modes for performing various operations. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120034403 | HERMETIC GLASS-TO-METAL SEAL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING HERMETIC GLASS-TO-METAL SEAL ASSEMBLY - A glass-to-metal hermetic seal assembly in a sight glass assembly or a hermetic terminal assembly is disclosed and includes a glass component, an intermediate component, and an outer ring. The intermediate component is provided around the glass component. The glass component is fused to the intermediate component. The outer ring, which has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the glass component, compresses the intermediate component against the glass component to create a hermetic compression seal. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120032629 | Electric Motor and Motor Control - Various embodiments of an electric motor and electronic control for an electric motor are disclosed. An exemplary electric motor comprises a single-phase brushless permanent magnet electric motor. In exemplary embodiments, the electronic motor control is configured to commutate an electric motor at a frequency other than line frequency, perform pulse width modulation, and drive the electric motor with a drive waveform that approximates the counter-electromotive force of the motor. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120032624 | Method and Apparatus for Motor Control - Various embodiments of a motor controller are disclosed. In exemplary embodiments, the motor controller can be instructed to select an operational profile based on the duration of power loss. In an exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a battery or capacitor to provide power to a microcontroller in the motor controller while power is disconnected. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120025646 | Cooling Tower Motor Having Improved Moisture Protection - An electrical motor has been developed having an epoxy, which encapsulates a stator winding to protect the stator winding from the humid and damp atmosphere associated with a cooling tower. The electrical motor includes a stator core, a stator winding configured about the stator core, and an epoxy encapsulating at least an end portion of the stator winding, the epoxy enabling the stator winding to be isolated from an atmosphere surrounding a fan within in a cooling tower operated by the electrical motor in which the stator core and the stator winding are positioned. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20110316375 | HIGH EFFICIENCY SALIENT POLE MACHINE AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME - A salient pole machine and method of forming the same comprising a rotating field assembly and at least one inter-pole cap connected to the rotating field assembly and/or at least end coil cap connected to the rotating field assembly. Each inter-pole cap preferably includes a top surface that has a curvature and/or at least one cavity. Each end coil cap may include at least one support. The salient pole machine may also include at least one fan assembly independent of the rotating field assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the salient pole machine includes at least one mounting plate, wherein each fan assembly is mounted on the mounting plate. The inter-pole caps and the end coil caps preferably comprise composites, polymers, alloys, ceramics, or naturally occurring materials. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110314628 | Accessory Wand Storage Assembly for Use with Vacuum Appliances, and Vacuums Using the Same - A vacuum extension wand accessory storage assembly for use with a wet/dry vacuum that improves user access to the wands while simultaneously preventing accidental loss or dislodgement of the wands when the vacuum is not in use. The wand storage design includes the combination of a channeled, shaped surface formed in the bottom of the vacuum collection drum and an accessory attachment system on the bottom of the vacuum appliance having both front and rear securement assemblies which in combination secure the extension wands in place below the collection drum of the vacuum appliance in the event of vacuum transportation, lifting, or storage. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110309785 | 3T-Y WINDING CONNECTION FOR THREE PHASE MULTIPLE-SPEED MOTOR - A three-phase, multi-speed electric induction motor assembly is configured to include a controller to change motor speeds. The motor assembly includes a stator core assembly, a pair of main winding coil groups corresponding with each phase, and a pair of selectable extra winding coil groups corresponding with each phase. During the lower-speed operation, the controller connects a first set of three leads to a power source such that only the main coil groups are energized. During the higher-speed operation, the controller connects a second set of three leads to the power source such that both the main coil groups and the selectable extra coil groups are energized. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110291519 | Segmented Stator Assemblies Having End Caps - Segmented stator assemblies having a plurality of stator segments and a plurality of end caps are disclosed. According to one example embodiment, a segmented stator assembly includes a plurality of stator segments and a plurality of end caps. Each stator segment has a yoke portion and a tooth portion extending from the yoke portion. Each end cap is positioned over one of the stator segments. Each end cap includes a body portion positioned at least partially over the yoke portion of its associated stator segment. At least one of the body portions includes at least a first post that cooperates with a post of an adjacent end cap to define a first wire management tie-down. The stator assembly further includes a stator wire coupled to the first wire management tie-down. Stator assemblies and end caps having other wire management and routing features are also disclosed. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110274560 | Pump Assemblies, Controllers and Methods of Controlling Fluid Pumps Based on Air Temperature - Pump assemblies, controllers and methods of controlling fluid pumps based on air temperatures are disclosed. One example method of controlling a fluid pump includes determining an air temperature, determining a run time of the fluid pump based on the determined air temperature, and running the fluid pump for a duration corresponding to the determined run time. One example controller for a fluid pump includes a temperature sensor for measuring an air temperature and a processor for controlling a run time of the fluid pump. The processor is operably coupled to the temperature sensor and configured to adjust the run time of the fluid pump based on a predetermined run time and the air temperature measured by the temperature sensor. The pump assemblies, controllers and methods may be used in swimming pools and various other applications. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110266473 | Gas Valve and Method of Control - A stepper-motor gas valve control is disclosed that includes a main diaphragm in a chamber that controllably displaces a valve relative to an opening in response to changes in pressure, to adjust fuel flow through the valve. A servo-regulator diaphragm is provided to regulate flow to the main diaphragm, to thereby control the rate of fuel flow. A stepper motor is configured to move in a stepwise manner to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm, to control fluid flow to the main diaphragm. A controller mounted on the stepper-motor regulated gas valve control receives and converts an input control signal from a heating system to a reference value between 0 and 5 volts, and selects a corresponding motor step value. The control responsively moves the stepper-motor in a step wise manner to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm and thereby regulates the rate of fuel flow through the valve. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110254477 | BLOWER MOTOR FOR HVAC SYSTEMS - A blower motor assembly having a variable speed motor that is suitable for replacing a PSC motor in a residential HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. The blower motor assembly includes a variable speed motor and motor controller; a first power input for receiving a plurality of AC power signals from a control device for use in determining an operating parameter for the motor; and a second power input for receiving AC power from an AC power source for powering the motor controller even when no AC power signals are received by the first power input. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110240070 | Offset Inlet Dishwasher Pumps - A dishwasher pump assembly according to one example embodiment includes a pump having a housing and a pumping chamber within the housing. The pumping chamber includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid inlet has a center axis. The assembly also includes a motor having a shaft operably coupled to the pump for rotating the pump. The shaft has a center axis that is offset from the center axis of the fluid inlet. Other embodiments, assemblies and methods are also disclosed. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110231020 | System for Remote Control of a Condition at a Site - A system is provided for remote control of at least one operating condition of a site. The system includes a proximity detection module at a residential site, which is configured to receive a communication regarding a location of a location reporting device or a mobile device. The proximity detection module is configured to alter or adjust a current temperature setting for the site based on a distance or location of the location reporting device or mobile device relative to the site. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110221381 | ELECTRIC MOTOR AND SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC MOTOR HAVING ARC BARRIER - A switch for an electric motor has a switch arm comprising a lever and an arc barrier formed integrally with the lever. The switch has first and second electrical contacts. The switch arm and second electrical contact are moveable relative to the first contact between an open position and a closed position. The arc barrier is positioned adjacent the first contact in the closed position. The arc barrier limits the risk of electrical arcing associated with the electrical contacts. The switch is suitable for use in an electric induction motor. For example, the switch can be adapted to de-energize auxiliary start windings when an electric induction motor is up to speed and/or to provide a signal indicating the motor is operating. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110198956 | Stator with Monolithic Mounting Bosses and Assembly Comprising the Same - A stator comprises a ferromagnetic core having teeth. The stator also comprises first and second insulator members. The first and second insulating members collectively encircle each of the teeth of the core. The first insulating member comprising a plurality of mounting bosses spaced circumferentially from each other about the axis. Each of the mounting bosses has first and second retaining surfaces. The first and second retaining surfaces face axially opposite directions from each other and are exposed and are unobstructed by the second insulating member. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110197451 | CUTTER FOR PRESS TOOL - A cutting tool is disclosed which can be used in conjunction with a press tool, and in particular, a hydraulically operated hand held press tool. The cutting tool is selectively engaged with the press tool such that upon operation of the press tool, a cutting blade is pivoted past a wire or cable supporting cradle region to thereby cut or otherwise sever the wire or cable. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110193683 | PHYSICAL ADDRESSING FOR TRANSIENT VOLTAGE SURGE SUPPRESSOR MODULES - A multidimensional addressing network for a power system comprising a number of substantially identical modules monitoring a plurality of surge suppressors. Each module may be uniquely selected or identified based at least in part on its physical relationship with the base plates and other modules. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110193433 | Stator with Cavity for Retaining Wires and Method of Forming the Same - A stator comprises a cavity formed into the insulator of the windings. The non-wound wire sections that extend from the windings and the electrical conductors attached thereto are housed within the cavity. A cap locks onto the stator insulator and prevents the non-wound sections of wire from migrating out of the cavity. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110182656 | SLEEVED COUPLING - A sleeved coupling for retaining a helically wound cable onto a connector or other component is described. The sleeve is positioned against a shoulder region of a connector and extends over a portion of the cable end. The sleeved coupling significantly increases the torque carrying capability of the resulting cable and connector assembly and achieves performance characteristics similar to welding the cable and connectors together. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110178773 | System and Method for Detecting Fluid Delivery System Conditions Based on Motor Parameters - Systems and methods for detecting various system conditions in a fluid delivery system (such as an HVAC system) based on a motor parameter are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention relate to detecting: filter condition, frozen coil condition, register condition, energy efficiency, system failure, or any combination thereof. Embodiments of the present invention relate to detecting fluid delivery system conditions based on motor parameters including system current, system power, system efficiency, motor current, motor power, motor efficiency, and/or a change (or rate of change) in motor parameters. Techniques for responding to a clogged filter and a frozen coil are also disclosed. Also disclosed are techniques for characterizing a fluid delivery system off-site, prior to system installation. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110169940 | CAMERA MANIPULATING DEVICE FOR VIDEO INSPECTION SYSTEM - A camera manipulating device for a camera attached to a cable includes a first member, a second member, and a connecting member disposed therebetween. The first member is attached to the camera so that the camera moves with the first member. The second member is rotatably mounted over the cable. The camera is movable in a first plane when the connecting member defines an angle relative to the second member. The camera is movable in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane when the second member is rotated around the cable. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110144937 | DEVICE AND METHOD OF SENSING TEMPERATURE OF A ROTATING ELECTROMAGNETIC MACHINE - A system and method of determining the temperature of a rotating electromagnetic machine, such as an electric motor or generator. A temperature calibration parameter is calculated based on the temperature of an object situated close to the motor, such as a motor drive connected to the motor, and a first resistance value of the winding. In exemplary embodiments, the motor drive and first resistance value are determined only after the motor has been idle for some predetermined time period. Once the calibration parameter is calculated, the processor uses it along with subsequent resistance measurements to calculate the temperature of the motor. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110141781 | POWER SUPPLY CONTINUOUS INPUT VOLTAGE EXTENDER - A system and method for providing acceptable output power from a wide range of received power, comprising: outputting a received voltage as an output voltage if the received voltage does not exceed a threshold; and limiting the output voltage to the threshold if the received voltage exceeds the threshold. Limiting the output voltage may comprise dropping an excess voltage across a switching element, wherein the excess voltage is the received voltage minus the threshold. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110141770 | POWER SUPPLY DISCONTINUOUS INPUT VOLTAGE EXTENDER - A system and method for converting a relatively high voltage into a relatively low voltage, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a first series of pulses at the relatively high voltage and a first frequency; and converting the first series of pulses into a second series of pulses at a second voltage lower than the relatively high voltage and a second frequency higher than the first frequency. The first series of pulses may be a waveform and the converting step may be triggered by the waveform of the first series of pulses exceeding the relatively low voltage. The first series of pulses may be direct current pulses and the receiving step may comprise receiving an alternating current voltage and rectifying the alternating current voltage into the first series of pulses. The second frequency may be some multiple of the first frequency, such as twice the first frequency. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110140567 | Low Noise Rotor or Stator of an Electric Motor or Generator and Method of Assembling the Same - A stator or rotor of an electric motor or generator comprises a core formed of ferromagnetic material having a plurality of teeth arranged circumferentially about an axis. In one aspect of the invention, at least one retaining member connects the end portions of at least two of the teeth to each other in a manner inhibiting relative movement between said tooth end portions. By inhibiting relative movement between said tooth end portions, vibration is reduced. Vibration can also be reduced by welding interior surfaces of a core to each other. Reducing the vibration reduces the noise emissions of the rotor or stator during operation. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110133005 | FLUSHING WATER CONTROL FOR A FOOD WASTE DISPOSER BASED ON VISUAL DETECTION OF FOOD WASTE - Visual detection of food waste is used to control flow of flushing water to a food waste disposer. When the disposer is turned on, flushing water is also turned on at a low flow rate. The flushing water is directed into the food waste disposer. A visual detection sensor, which is coupled to a controller, is oriented to detect food waste entering the food waste disposer. Upon detection of the presence of food waste, the controller changes the rate of flow of the flushing water from the low flow rate to a high flow rate. The controller maintains the flow rate of the flushing water at the high flow rate for as long as food waste is detected as entering the food waste disposer and for a period after food waste is no longer detected to allow the food waste to be comminuted and flushed from the food waste disposer. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110129205 | FLOW-THROUGH HEATER - A flow-through heater includes a tubular housing and a heating element. The tubular housing defines a passageway. The heating element is provided in the passageway and attached to the tubular housing. The heating element includes a resistive wire and an electrically insulating coating on the resistive wire. The heating element includes a coiled wire portion coiled along a longitudinal axis of the tubular housing. The coiled wire portion defines a channel extending in a direction along the longitudinal axis to enable a fluid to flow therethrough. The coiled wire portion contacts the fluid when the fluid flows through the channel. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110115325 | MOTOR ENDSHIELD - An electric motor assembly is configured to be mounted within a machine in a selected one of multiple possible motor dispositions corresponding with different motor axis positions. The motor assembly includes an endshield having a pair of opposite generally radially-extending mounting flanges. Each mounting flange presents an engagement portion that includes a plurality of spaced apart, dissimilarly-shaped fastener-receiving recesses that extend in a generally common direction and are configured to alternately receive a fastener therein. The pair of flanges cooperatively present corresponding sets of like-shaped recesses, each of which is associated with one of the motor dispositions, but only one of the sets of recesses extends entirely through the engagement portions to define a single set of like-shaped through holes corresponding to the selected motor disposition. A method of manufacturing components for electric motor assemblies configured to be mounted within respective machines in a selected one of multiple possible dispositions is also disclosed. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110112787 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING LOCATIONS OF BURIED OBJECTS - A method is provided for reporting location of a buried object detected by a utility locator device. The method includes: determining location of a buried object using electromagnetic field emissions emitted from a utility locator device, determining global coordinates for the location of the buried object using a global positioning system (GPS), determining an accuracy measure for the global coordinates using the accuracy of the location determined by the locator and the accuracy of the GPS; and reporting the global coordinates for the buried object, along with the accuracy measure, to an operator of the utility locator device. An operator of the locator may be notified when the accuracy measure for the global coordinates exceeds a tolerance for reporting the location of the buried object. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110109258 | 2 SPEED 2/4-POLE PSC/PSC MOTOR WITH INDEPENDENT MAIN WINDINGS AND SHARED AUXILIARY WINDING - A PSC/PSC motor for 2-pole operation and 4-pole operation. The motor uses an independent 2-pole main winding and an independent 4-pole main winding. An auxiliary winding includes an independent 2-pole auxiliary winding, an independent 4-pole auxiliary winding, and a shared auxiliary winding used in both the 2-pole operation and the 4-pole operation. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110108654 | REEL FRAMES FOR REMOTE VIDEO INSPECTION SYSTEMS - A frame assembly for a cable reel includes a lower support frame for rotatably supporting a drum and an upper support member attached to the lower support frame. The upper support member is disposed above the drum and defines a planar top surface when the upper support member is in the working position. The upper support member may be configured to form a folding seat for a user, a drawer for storage and/or a platform for placing a device thereon. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110108320 | HERMETIC FEED-THROUGH WITH HYBRID SEAL STRUCTURE - A power terminal feed-through includes a housing body, a plurality of conductive pins, and a seal structure that hermetically seals the conductive pins to the housing body and electrically insulates the conductive pins from the housing body. The seal structure includes a first material fused to one of the housing body and the conductive pin, and a second material fused to the other one of the housing body and the conductive pin. The first and second materials may be properly chosen to match thermal expansion of the housing body and the conductive pins, respectively. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110078905 | PLASTIC PIPE CUTTER - A hand-held cutting tool is described which is used to readily cut or sever flexible pipe or tubing. The tool features one or more openings in the body of the tool sized to accommodate pipe or tubing to be cut. The tool is used to cut tubing by inserting the tubing into one of the apertures. A retractable blade is urged against the tubing and the tool then orbited about the tubing and/or the tubing rotated until the blade severs the tubing. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110073194 | SELF CLEANING VALVE ASSEMBLY - A self cleaning valve assembly includes a valve body having an internal valve cavity. A cylinder member received in the valve cavity has a first sealing surface and a cylinder wall, and divides the valve cavity into a liquid-free cavity portion and a flow cavity portion. A spindle includes a spindle body contacting the first sealing surface to continuously prevent pressurized fluid in the flow cavity portion from entering the liquid-free cavity portion. A spindle piston end has a wiper member in a receiving groove frictionally contacting the cylinder wall. A handle pinned to the valve assembly directly contacts the piston end. Handle rotation displaces the spindle from a valve closed to a valve open position permitting pressurized fluid flow into the flow cavity portion. The wiper member wipes a contaminant off the cylinder wall and further prevents contaminant entrance into the liquid-free cavity portion. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110068724 | Sensorless Lost/Found Rotor Detection for Permanent Magnet Motors - Various methods of detecting a found rotor, a lost rotor, a locked rotor and a caught rotor after a power disruption using flux estimates are disclosed. Also disclosed are permanent magnet motor controllers and assemblies suitable for performing one or more of these methods. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110056731 | SOLID CORE GLASS BEAD SEAL WITH STIFFENING RIB - A hermetic feed-through includes a housing body defining a hollow space, a plurality of conductive pins and a seal structure. The plurality of conductive pins extend through the hollow space. The seal structure is provided in the hollow space and includes a single-piece glass component. The single-piece glass component hermetically seals at least two conductive pins to the housing body and electrically insulates the at least two conductive pins from the housing body. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110056081 | PORTABLE DIRECT ACTION BRITTLE PIPE/SOIL PIPE CUTTER - A lightweight, portable, and relatively small cutting tool is described. The tool engages with a standard press tool and is used for cutting brittle pipe such as cast iron soil pipe. The tool features a cutting chain assembly that is tensioned about the pipe by a movable ram block. The ram block is displaced by a ram or hydraulic cylinder in the press tool. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110050024 | ELECTRIC MACHINE - A three-phase, high voltage motor for use in a scroll compressor includes a stator core having an annular rim and a plurality of teeth extending radially inward from the rim. Aluminum windings are wrapped around teeth of the plurality of teeth of the stator core. The windings are spaced 120 electrical degrees from each other. The motor further includes a rotor body that is rotatably mounted inside the stator core and includes an external surface facing the stator core. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110045746 | PREPARATION TOOLS FOR PIPE ENDS AND RELATED METHODS - Various systems, tools, and methods are described for rendering regions of coated pipe suitable for receiving press fittings. The systems, tools, and methods may also be applicable for transforming regions of pipe, coated or uncoated, and which are otherwise unsuitable for sealingly engaging press fittings, so that reliable and leak-proof seals can be made between the pipe and press fittings. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110033326 | SCROLL COMPRESSOR WITH RADIALLY CONFIGURED MOTOR WINDING - A scroll compressor is more economically constructed and operated. The scroll compressor includes an orbiting scroll member, a non-orbiting scroll member, and a single phase electric motor, the single phase electric motor further includes a rotor, a stator having a plurality of slots, the stator being mounted concentrically with the rotor, an aluminum start winding that is wound within a portion of the slots distal from the rotor, a copper main winding that is wound with a portion of the slots between the aluminum start winding and the rotor, and a drive shaft coupled to the rotor, the drive shaft being configured to couple to the orbiting scroll member of a scroll compressor to cause the orbiting scroll member to orbit the non-orbiting scroll member. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110030398 | Inhibiting Compressor Backspin Via a Condenser Motor - Assemblies for HVAC systems and methods of operating HVAC systems are disclosed, including a method of operating an HVAC system having a compressor assembly and a condenser assembly. The compressor assembly includes a compressor having a compressor motor that is susceptible to backspining and capable of generating electric power when backspinning. The condenser assembly includes a condenser motor operatively coupled to a fan. The condenser assembly is electrically coupled to the compressor assembly. The method includes using the condenser motor as an electric load to dissipate electric power generated by the compressor motor when the compressor motor backspins. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110030396 | HVAC Condenser Assemblies Having Controllable Input Voltages - Assemblies for HVAC systems and methods of operating HVAC systems are disclosed, including a method of operating an HVAC system having a condenser motor operatively coupled to a fan and a controllable bus voltage for powering the condenser motor. The method includes increasing the controllable bus voltage from a first voltage to a second voltage to increase a speed of the condenser motor. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110026182 | SWELL SUSTAINING TRANSIENT VOLTAGE SURGE SUPPRESSOR - A transient voltage surge suppressor assembly comprising: a first energy absorbing device; a second energy absorbing device in parallel with the first device; and a voltage sense circuit configured to take the first device off-line when a voltage swell lasts for a duration. The first and second devices may be wired in parallel between a line and a neutral. The assembly may include a third energy absorbing device wired between the line and a ground, the third device also being configured to be taken off-line when the voltage swell lasts for the duration. The voltage sense circuit may be powered by a line voltage or a lower supply voltage. The first device may be more sensitive than the second device. For example, the first device may have a lower clamping voltage than the second device. The first device may be smaller and/or include fewer components than the second device. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110010961 | Dryer Motor and Control - A drying device has been developed having a single electric motor configured to drive a drum and directly drive an air blower. The single electric motor is a non-line frequency electric motor. The drum is coupled to a support frame to enable rotation of the drum relative the support frame. The drum has an interior space for holding a load of articles, such as clothing. The motor includes a controller configured to increase gradually the angular velocity of the drum to provide a “soft start” for the dryer. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20100329904 | Integrated Endshield and Pump Volute For An Electric Pump And Method of Forming An Electric Pump - An electric pump comprises a stator, a rotor, and an endshield. The interface plate is fixed to the stator and is configured to couple the electric motor to a pump. The pump volute is formed as an integral portion of the endshield, thereby minimizing the axial length of the electric pump. A drainage passageway is provided on the endshield to harmlessly drain away any fluid that seeps past the pump's seals. In one embodiment of the invention, the drainage passageway is a groove that faces the stator and is configured to facilitate the evaporation of and leak fluid by channeling the fluid near the stator, which warms the fluid and thereby increases the fluid's evaporation rate. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100322601 | ELECTRIC BROIL ELEMENT - A radiant energy electric broil element for a food heating unit, including a cross-sectional geometrical configuration having a planar flattened portion with a length greater than a planar length of any other planar portion, the planar flattened portion oriented in a direction of a food product to be heated to maximize a radiant energy produced by the broiler element toward the food product. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100320947 | Method For Calibrating A Motor Control Circuit To Improve Temperature Measurement In A Electrical Motor - A method enables measurement of an inverter loss within a motor control circuit for an appliance. The method includes applying a constant DC current generated from a first AC supply voltage to a motor winding through an inverter at a first duty cycle, measuring a first voltage corresponding to the current through the motor at a motor current sense resistor, computing a first ratio of the first measured voltage at the motor current sense resistor to a first DC input voltage corresponding to the first AC supply voltage, identifying a second duty cycle from the first computed ratio, comparing the second duty cycle to the first duty cycle, and identifying a first inverter loss factor from the difference between the first duty cycle and the second duty cycle. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100320185 | BAND HEATER SYSTEMS AND ASSEMBLY METHODS - A band heater assembly for heating an object includes a band heater that extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the object. The band heater includes a cable and a band. The cable includes a resistive element, a first cable end and a second cable end. The resistive element generates thermal energy based on a current received from a power source. The first cable end and the second cable end are connected to respective ends of the band heater assembly. The band is connected to the cable and transfers a first portion of the thermal energy to an exterior surface of the object. At least a portion of the cable is exposed from the band heater to contact the exterior surface when the band heater assembly is connected to the object. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100294866 | FOOD WASTE DISPOSER AND THREADED MOUNT SYSTEM - A food waste disposer and mount system has a threaded sink flange and a food waste disposer. The threaded sink flange has a tubular body portion and a flange portion extending radially outwardly from a top of the tubular body portion. The tubular body portion has a threaded portion. The food waste disposer has an upper food conveying section that includes a housing having an upper, annular portion having a threaded portion. The upper, annular portion of the housing of the upper food conveying section is threaded to the threaded portion of the tubular body portion of the threaded sink flange when the threaded sink flange is disposed in a draining opening of a sink to mount the food waste disposer to the sink. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100277321 | RFID Detection System and Methods for Enhanced Marketing - Systems and methods are disclosed for interactively marketing product information to an end user by monitoring the three-dimensional position of a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with an object within and around a merchandising display. The system includes a detector/reader incorporating circuitry for detecting changes in the three-dimensional position of an RFID tag from the detector/reader and for triggering the display of information relative to the product if a detected change in the three-dimensional “read zone” position is detected. The systems as described herein may be used to interactively display marketing material relative to a chosen object, or cross-sell related objects. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100277019 | Electric Motor Endshield Having Variable Bearing Arrangement - An electric motor assembly includes a stator assembly and a rotor assembly having a shaft disposed within a motor case. The motor case includes an endshield with a centrally disposed bearing-receiving core that is configured to receive any one of a plurality of bearing assemblies, including at least a ball bearing and a self-aligning bearing, for rotatably supporting the shaft. The core includes a bearing assembly engagement surface with a generally cylindrical first portion and a generally frustoconical second portion, such that any of the selected bearings received therein directly contacts and engages the first surface portion or the second surface portion. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100254053 | POWER DISCONNECT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system for protecting a load from a fault on a line comprising: a detection circuit monitoring the line; and a switch interposed between the line and the load; wherein the detection circuit triggers the switch to disconnect the load from the line when the fault is detected. The detection circuit may trigger the switch within one second of detecting the fault. The detection circuit may monitor the line voltage of the line and the fault may be detected when the line voltage exceeds 125% or 130% of the normal voltage. The load may be automatically reconnected to the line when the line voltage drops to within 5% or 10% of a normal voltage. The fault may be any one or more of an open-neutral, an over-voltage, an under-voltage, a phase loss, and an external trigger, such as an access sensor, a smoke sensor, and/or a heat sensor. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100237059 | RESISTIVE HEATING ELEMENT FOR ELECTRICAL HEATING - A resistive heating element for a resistance heater includes a first heating section and a second heating section. The first and second heating sections are configured to jointly generate a power output that is equal to that generated by a single reference resistive element under a same applied voltage. The single reference resistive element has a reference length, a reference mass, and a reference surface area. The first and second heating sections are configured to transfer an amount of heat at least equal to that transferred by the single reference resistive element. A total mass of the first heating section and the second heating section is less than a reference mass of the single reference resistive wire. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100213783 | TWO CONDUCTOR WINDING FOR AN INDUCTION MOTOR CIRCUIT - An electrical induction motor has a main winding formed with two electrical conductors having different electrical resistivities. The motor includes a stator having a structure about which a winding is formed, and the winding includes a first electrical conductor having a first end and a second end, and a second electrical conductor having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first electrical conductor and the first end of the second electrical conductor being coupled together and the second end of the first electrical conductor and the second end of the second electrical conductor being coupled together to form a parallel circuit with the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor, and the second electrical conductor having an electrical resistivity that is greater than an electrical resistivity of the first electrical conductor. In one embodiment, the first electrical conductor is copper and the second electrical conductor is aluminum. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100204945 | System and Method for Detecting Fluid Delivery System Conditions Based on Motor Parameters - Systems and methods for detecting various system conditions in a fluid delivery system (such as an HVAC system) based on a motor parameter are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention relate to detecting: filter condition, frozen coil condition, register condition, energy efficiency, system failure, or any combination thereof. Embodiments of the present invention relate to detecting fluid delivery system conditions based on motor parameters including system current, system power, system efficiency, motor current, motor power, motor efficiency, and/or a change (or rate of change) in motor parameters. Techniques for responding to a clogged filter and a frozen coil are also disclosed. Also disclosed are techniques for characterizing a fluid delivery system off-site, prior to system installation. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100199499 | TUBING CUTTER - A tube cutter is disclosed having a frame roller assembly and a cutting wheel assembly. The frame roller assembly includes two or more independently rotatable frame rollers which share a common axis. The cutting wheel assembly includes a cutter wheel disposed between two independently rotatable slide rollers, the cutter wheel and slide rollers sharing a common axis of rotation. The frame rollers are generally aligned with the slide rollers during a cutting operation. The tube cutter retains the ends of a tube during and after cut completion. The tube cutter is particularly suited for cutting corrugated tubing, and most particularly, a range of different sizes and configurations of corrugated tubing. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100170060 | Flexible Crevice Tool Attachment for Vacuum Appliances - A flexible accessory tool for a vacuum appliance is described, comprising an elongated body with a body portion having an attachment end, a nozzle end spaced apart from the attachment end and having an opening formed therein, and a flexible intermediate region for imparting flexibility to the accessory tool during use. The flexible intermediate region is made up of a rigid skeleton portion having a one or more ribs and support struts, over which a layer of non air-permeable flexible material is applied. During use, the flexible accessory tool may be bent to extreme angles in order to reach and clean debris from hard to reach areas, while not suffering from a decrease in vacuum air flow through the tool as it flexes. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100162516 | Vacuum Bypass Vent and Vacuums Incorporating Such Bypass Vents - A vacuum appliance capable of picking up both wet and dry material is described, wherein the vacuum appliance includes an impeller configured to induce liquid into the vacuum appliance, a motor configured to turn the impeller, a restrictor assembly to prevent the liquid from being ingested into the motor, and a bypass vent assembly configured to allow sufficient air to reach the motor in order to keep the motor cool while the restrictor is preventing the liquid from being ingested into the motor. The vacuum appliance also includes a drum configured to retain the liquid and an impeller intake between the impeller and the drum. The restrictor may comprise a float configured to rise with a level of the liquid in the drum and prevent the liquid from entering the impeller intake. The bypass vent assembly may be configured to allow airflow to bypass the restrictor and/or the drum. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100156234 | INTERIOR MAGNET MACHINE WITH REDUCED COGGING - An interior permanent magnet machine has non-contiguous, non-magnetic radial slots between the magnets and the cylindrical periphery and the magnets have non-magnetic radial end slots. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100148605 | ENCAPSULATED OUTER STATOR ISOLATED ROTOR STEPPER MOTOR VALVE ASSEMBLY - An electric motor assembly includes a rotor rotatable about an axis and a stator spaced radially away from the rotor. An isolation housing, configured to permit magnetic flux to flow therethrough between the rotor and the stator, is disposed between the rotor and the stator and defines an internal rotor chamber, in which the rotor is located. The isolation housing fluidly isolates the internal rotor chamber from the stator. An encapsulating cover is provided that radially and axially surrounds the stator. The cover is formed of a resin material and bonds the stator to the isolation housing to prevent relative movement therebetween. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100147039 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SENSING TEMPERATURE OF A ROTATING ELECTROMAGNETIC MACHINE - A system and method of determining the temperature of a rotating electromagnetic machine, such as an electric motor or generator. A temperature calibration parameter is calculated based on the temperature of an object situated close to the motor, such as a motor drive connected to the motor, and a first resistance value of the winding. In exemplary embodiments, the motor drive and first resistance value are determined only after the motor has been idle for some predetermined time period. Once the calibration parameter is calculated, the processor uses it along with subsequent resistance measurements to calculate the temperature of the motor. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100146729 | Snap-Together Wet Nozzle for Vacuum Appliance - A snap-together wet nozzle for use with a vacuum assembly is described, as well as a removable squeegee assembly for use in combination with a wet nozzle for a vacuum assembly. The snap-together wet nozzle includes an elongated, generally U-shaped nozzle housing having outwardly tapering walls, spaced apart closed ends, and a connecting tube passageway for association with a vacuum-producing means, such as a wet/dry vacuum, and further includes a squeegee assembly capable of being insertably mounted within the elongated, generally U-shaped nozzle housing. The squeegee assembly generally includes a squeegee element comprising a plurality of openings extending through the squeegee element; a first, elongated squeegee bar having spaced apart end grooves at each of its ends; and a second, elongated squeegee bar having spaced apart locking end tabs at each of its ends and a plurality of vanes spaced across the interior face of the bar, wherein when the squeegee assembly is assembled and ready for insertion into the nozzle, the squeegee element is located intermediate between the first and second squeegee bars, and wherein the first and second squeegee bars interlock by the engagement of the end tabs of the second squeegee bar with the end grooves of the first squeegee bar. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100139793 | Hot Side Only Spring Return Used On Single Lever Hot/Cold Faucet With Locking Mechanism - A faucet includes a valve body having a cartridge receiving bore. A valve cartridge is sealingly disposed in the bore. The valve cartridge includes a rotatable stem. An arc-shaped slot is created in the valve cartridge. A lever assembly having a single handle is connected to the stem and operates when rotated in a first direction to permit cold water flow through the valve body, and after being depressed can be rotated in an opposite second direction to permit hot water flow through the valve body. A torsion spring has a first post received in the elongated slot translatable between opposed ends of the elongated slot, and a second post received in a lever assembly aperture preventing second post translation. A biasing force of the torsion spring biases the lever assembly toward a valve closed position only when the lever assembly is rotated in the second direction. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100139083 | HORIZONTAL AXIS WASHING MACHINE HAVING 4 POLE 36 SLOT MOTOR - A horizontal axis washing machine includes a clothing receptacle rotated by a | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100139032 | Slide-Out Drum with Filter For A Wet/Dry Vacuum Appliance - A wet and dry vacuum cleaner system is disclosed, wherein the system includes a debris container having an inlet and outlet, a filter support having a filter and being adapted to situate at least a portion of the filter within the container and intermediate between the inlet and outlet, a vacuum unit adapted to be coupled to the container, and a housing. A wet/dry vacuum appliance system is also disclosed, which includes means for housing a vacuum unit, means for slidably receiving a debris container, and means for releasably holding the container in sealed engagement with the vacuum unit. In addition, methods of removing debris from such a vacuum cleaner and vacuum appliance systems are described. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100127922 | SYSTEM FOR SHARING VIDEO CAPTURED AT JOBSITE - A jobsite inspection system may include an inspection device configured to capture visual media of a viewing area and store the visual media as a media file; a global positioning system adapted to determine a geographic location of the inspection device and embed a location tag into the media file, the location tag is indicative of the geographical location of the inspection device; and a report generator including computer instructions readable by a computing device adapted to receive and store the image file, the report generator is adapted to generate a job report displaying the visual media and a description of the geographical location. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100125959 | GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF ENCLOSED INSPECTION AREA - An apparatus for generating a visual representation may include an elongated flexible member adapted to be removably inserted into an enclosure; a dispensing mechanism operable to selectively dispense and retract the elongated flexible member; a counter configured to determine an amount of the elongated flexible member dispensed by the dispensing mechanism; a controller configured to receive the amount of the elongated flexible member dispensed from the counter and determine a rate at which the elongated flexible member is dispensed; and a display in data communication with the controller. The controller causes the rate at which the flexible member is dispensed to be displayed in relation to a visual representation of the enclosure on the display. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100123427 | PSC Motor with 4/6 Pole Common Windings - A PSC motor includes a stator core, a rotor arranged in a rotation relationship with respect to the stator core, a first to eighth winding coil sets wound around the stator core and a capacitor. The motor has two kinds of configurations for 4-pole and 6-pole operation modes, respectively. The configuration for the 4-pole mode comprises a primary winding and a secondary winding which is connected in series with the capacitor, and has two reversible operation directions. When operating at one direction, the primary winding includes the first to fourth winding coil sets, and the secondary winding includes the fifth to the eighth winding coil sets; and when operating at another direction, the primary winding includes the fifth to the eighth winding coil sets, and the secondary winding includes the first to fourth winding coil sets. Also, the configuration for the 6-pole mode comprises a primary winding and a secondary winding which is connected in series with the capacitor, and has two reversible operation directions. When operating at one direction, the primary winding includes the first, second, fifth and seventh winding coil sets, and the secondary winding includes the third, fourth, sixth and eighth winding coil sets; and when operating at another direction, the primary winding includes the third, fourth, sixth and eighth winding coil sets, and the secondary winding includes the first, second, fifth and seventh winding coil sets. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100116817 | Apparatus And Method For Detecting Condition Of Heating Element - A control for an electric water heater detects a condition of a heating element when the heating element is not being energized. A switching module is operable to interrupt power to the heating element, which de-energizes the heating element. A detector module detects the condition of the heating element when the heating element is de-energized. The detector module senses current flowing through the heating element and generates a detection signal that is indicative of the current. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100109470 | Alignment of Segmented Stators for Electric Machines - A stator segment for a segmented stator of an electric machine includes insulative material configured for overlapping with insulative material of an adjacent stator segment to provide continuous insulation along a joint between the adjacent stator segments. Additionally, or alternatively, the stator segment can include one or more alignment tabs configured to engage a surface of an adjacent stator segment to inhibit relative axial movement between adjacent stator segments. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100109454 | LIQUID DEFLECTING BAFFLE FOR AN ELECTRIC MOTOR - A fluid deflecting baffle is provided for use on an electric motor to be used in an environment where liquid may otherwise pass through a vent opening in an endshield of the motor. The baffle is secureable to the endshield and extends in a partial covering relationship with the vent opening. The baffle includes a vent passage therethrough and has at least one liquid flow obstructing louver that extends across the vent opening to deflect liquid away from the vent passage while allowing venting air to flow through the vent passage. The louver includes a generally flat liquid deflection surface that is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the axis of the motor and at least partially faces a venting direction of incoming air and fluid. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100090551 | Electric Motor Having Drainage Means - An electric motor comprises a stator, a rotor, and an interface plate. The interface plate is fixed to the stator and is configured to couple the electric motor to a pump. The interface plate comprises a shaft opening, a cavity, a ventilation passageway, a fluid discharge portion, a drainage passageway, and an upwardly extending surface. The rotor shaft extends horizontally through the shaft opening. The cavity is in communication with the shaft opening. The ventilation passageway extends upward from the cavity and is in communication with the cavity and with the ambient air. The drainage passageway is in communication with and extends downward from the cavity. The drainage passageway is configured to channel liquid downward from the cavity and to the fluid discharge portion. The upwardly extending surface is positioned where the upwardly extending surface will inhibit liquid from migrating from the fluid discharge portion to the stator. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100084937 | MOTOR WITH LOBED ROTOR HAVING UNIFORM AND NON-UNIFORM AIR GAPS - A motor having a rotor including first outer surface segments providing uniform air gaps and second outer surface segments providing non-uniform air gaps. The rotor has an outer surface contour comprising a number of first outer surface segments defined by arcs having a first radius centered on a central longitudinal axis and a number of second outer surface segments defined by lines other than arcs having a first radius centered on a central longitudinal axis. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100070205 | FLOW ESTIMATION FOR FLUID HANDLING SYSTEM - A method of estimating airflow for a characterized blower system including a motor. The method includes running the motor, estimating a torque and a speed of the running motor, and assuming a starting airflow estimate. Torque is calculated based on the estimated speed and the estimated airflow. A torque error is calculated as a function of the calculated torque and the estimated torque. Estimated airflow is revised based on the calculated torque error. The method also includes repeating the calculating and revising steps using the revised estimated airflow until the torque error is within a predetermined acceptable range. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100068070 | FLOW CONTROL FOR FLUID HANDLING SYSTEM - A method of correcting fluid flow offset for an uncharacterized fluid handling system including a motor. The method includes running the motor at a reference fluid flow demand using generic coefficients, and changing fluid flow demand from the reference fluid flow demand until the motor signals a power limit condition. When the motor signals the power limit condition, the fluid flow demand is noted. The operational fluid flow demands are scaled by a ratio of the noted fluid flow demand to the reference fluid flow demand. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100060228 | BLOWER MOTOR FOR HVAC SYSTEMS - A blower motor assembly having a variable speed motor that is suitable for direct, drop-in replacement in a residential HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system that employs a PSC motor. The blower motor assembly includes at least a neutral input and two hot AC line connections, one for connection to the heating power source and the other to the cooling power source. A sensing circuit senses which of the inputs is energized by sensing either voltage or current on the inputs. The sensing circuit delivers a corresponding signal to a motor controller to control the speed of the variable speed motor. The blower motor assembly may also be equipped with additional hot AC inputs, more than one neutral line, and several sensing circuits for sensing current or voltage in the hot inputs and/or the neutral lines for controlling various aspects of the variable speed motor. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100060219 | BLOWER MOTOR FOR HVAC SYSTEMS - A blower motor assembly having a variable speed motor that is suitable for direct, drop-in replacement in a residential HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system that employs a PSC motor. The blower motor assembly includes at least a neutral input and two hot AC line connections, one for connection to the heating power source and the other to the cooling power source. A sensing circuit senses which of the inputs is energized by sensing either voltage or current on the inputs. The sensing circuit delivers a corresponding signal to a motor controller to control the speed of the variable speed motor. The blower motor assembly may also be equipped with additional hot AC inputs, more than one neutral line, and several sensing circuits for sensing current or voltage in the hot inputs and/or the neutral lines for controlling various aspects of the variable speed motor. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100060218 | BLOWER MOTOR FOR HVAC SYSTEMS - A blower motor assembly having a variable speed motor that is suitable for direct, drop-in replacement in a residential HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system that employs a PSC motor. The blower motor assembly includes at least a neutral input and two hot AC line connections, one for connection to the heating power source and the other to the cooling power source. A sensing circuit senses which of the inputs is energized by sensing either voltage or current on the inputs. The sensing circuit delivers a corresponding signal to a motor controller to control the speed of the variable speed motor. The blower motor assembly may also be equipped with additional hot AC inputs, more than one neutral line, and several sensing circuits for sensing current or voltage in the hot inputs and/or the neutral lines for controlling various aspects of the variable speed motor. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100060216 | BLOWER MOTOR FOR HVAC SYSTEMS - A blower motor assembly having a variable speed motor that is suitable for direct, drop-in replacement in a residential HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system that employs a PSC motor. The blower motor assembly includes at least a neutral input and two hot AC line connections, one for connection to the heating power source and the other to the cooling power source. A sensing circuit senses which of the inputs is energized by sensing either voltage or current on the inputs. The sensing circuit delivers a corresponding signal to a motor controller to control the speed of the variable speed motor. The blower motor assembly may also be equipped with additional hot AC inputs, more than one neutral line, and several sensing circuits for sensing current or voltage in the hot inputs and/or the neutral lines for controlling various aspects of the variable speed motor. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100060215 | BLOWER MOTOR FOR HVAC SYSTEMS - A blower motor assembly having a variable speed motor that is suitable for direct, drop-in replacement in a residential HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system that employs a PSC motor. The blower motor assembly includes at least a neutral input and two hot AC line connections, one for connection to the heating power source and the other to the cooling power source. A sensing circuit senses which of the inputs is energized by sensing either voltage or current on the inputs. The sensing circuit delivers a corresponding signal to a motor controller to control the speed of the variable speed motor. The blower motor assembly may also be equipped with additional hot AC inputs, more than one neutral line, and several sensing circuits for sensing current or voltage in the hot inputs and/or the neutral lines for controlling various aspects of the variable speed motor. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100060214 | BLOWER MOTOR FOR HVAC SYSTEMS - A blower motor assembly having a variable speed motor that is suitable for direct, drop-in replacement in a residential HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system that employs a PSC motor. The blower motor assembly includes at least a neutral input and two hot AC line connections, one for connection to the heating power source and the other to the cooling power source. A sensing circuit senses which of the inputs is energized by sensing either voltage or current on the inputs. The sensing circuit delivers a corresponding signal to a motor controller to control the speed of the variable speed motor. The blower motor assembly may also be equipped with additional hot AC inputs, more than one neutral line, and several sensing circuits for sensing current or voltage in the hot inputs and/or the neutral lines for controlling various aspects of the variable speed motor. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100052592 | Dynamoelectric Machine Assemblies Operable With Serial Communication Signals And PWM Control Signals - A dynamoelectric machine assembly for connection to a system controller. The assembly includes at least one input contact for receiving a control signal from the system controller and a processor coupled to the input contact. The processor is configured to operate the assembly in a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode when the control signal is a PWM control signal and to operate the assembly in a serial mode when the control signal is a serial communication signal. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100050350 | VARIABLE BELT TENSIONER FOR DRAIN CLEANING DEVICES - An assembly for adjusting belt tension in a drain cleaning device is disclosed. The assembly includes an idler pulley assembly in which a pivotable idler pulley is urged against a belt by a tensioned spring. The tensile force exerted by the spring can be adjusted or otherwise changed by a rotatable spool engaged to the other end of the spring. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100039060 | TWO SPEED INDUCTION MOTOR WITH TAPPED AUXILIARY WINDING - A six lead, two speed, consequent wound, single phase induction motor with a tapped auxiliary winding having a 2-pole high speed mode and 4-pole low speed mode. A portion of the auxiliary winding is connected in series with the four pole main winding. The 4-pole low speed mode has an efficiency of over 80%. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100031529 | CLOTHES DRYER MOTOR WITH BROKEN BELT SWITCH - A clothes dryer includes a motor adapted to be mounted on a frame of the dryer for driving a dryer belt to rotate a drum of the dryer. The motor includes a rotor adapted to rotate the belt, at least one winding energizable to cause rotation of the rotor, and a first switch operable to control energization of the winding. A second switch has a sensor for sensing belt breakage. The second switch is mounted on the first switch and is electrically connected to the winding so that when the belt is no longer sensed, the second switch stops operation of the winding and thereby stops rotation of the rotor. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100031460 | DRAIN CLEANING APPARATUS WITH ELECTRONIC CABLE COUNTER - A drain cleaning machine with an electronic cable counter is disclosed which is of the character comprising a frame supporting a rotatable drum which is driven by a motor through an endless belt. The drum contains a flexible drain cleaning snake which is rotatable with the drum and axially displaceable into an out from the drum, and the frame supports a cable feeding device through which the cable extends and by which the cable is displaced into and out of the drum. An electronic cable counter is configured to count an amount of cable payed out from and retracted into the drum and includes first and second sensor portions mounted on the rotatable drum and a cable follower member, respectively to sense relative rotational movement therebetween. A process determines an amount and direction of relative movement therebetween and generates a signal representative of an amount of cable payed or retracted into the drum. A fixed receiver unit is mounted to the frame and includes a human readable display portion and a receiver portion configured to receive the signal generated from the processor portion. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100026135 | ELECTRIC MACHINE - A stator assembly adapted for use in an electric motor. The assembly includes a stator core having an annular rim and a plurality of teeth extending radially inward from the rim. The stator core has an outer diameter, a root tooth diameter and an inner diameter. Each tooth has a root, a neck extending inward from the root, a head opposite the root, and a length measured from its root to its head. The neck has a width. Each adjacent pair of teeth define a slot having an area. The assembly also includes a winding having aluminum and/or copper wrapped around at least three teeth of the stator core. The stator core and winding have four, six or eight magnetic dipoles. The stator core outer diameter is in a range from about 5.1 inches to about 5.9 inches. The stator core inner diameter is less than about 3.0 inches. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100017981 | DRAIN CLEANING TOOLS WITH WEAR INDICATORS - A drain cleaning tool includes a wear indicator for providing a visual indication to a user of the tool of an amount of wear in the tool. Various forms of the wear indicator and tool include a flexible plumbers cable with one or more wear detector prominences extending between turns of the cable, a tool carried on the end of the cable and couplings on the opposite ends of the cable. The flexible plumbers cable includes an elongate hollow outer body member defining a longitudinal axis and a resilient intermediate body carried within the outer body. The resilient intermediate body carried within the outer body has along its periphery at least one wear detector prominence extending radially outwardly between at least one selected turn of the helically coiled outer body. The at least one wear detector has at least one color change in the radial direction to provide a visual indication visual indication to a user of the tool of an amount of wear in the tool. Further, a tool on an end of a flexible plumbers cable includes a wear detector. A flexible plumbers cable section includes an elongate cable portion, first and second coupling portions on opposite ends of the cable section, and a wear indicator on the coupling portions. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100017954 | VARIABLE MOTOR DRIVE SYSTEM FOR A RESERVOIR WITH CIRCULATING FLUID - A motor drive for an electric motor of a variable fluid circulating system includes a processing module and a power module. The processing module receives a signal profile and generates a control signal based on the signal profile. A power module generates a carrier signal based on the control signal and a direct current (DC) voltage. The power module pulse width modulates the carrier signal to generate a drive signal in the electric motor that matches the signal profile. The power module powers the electric motor based on the drive signal to adjust injection of a fluid into a reservoir. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100013349 | End Turn Phase Insulator with a Lead Wire Restraining Tab and Method of Restraining Lead Wires on Dynamoelectric Devices - A stator comprises a core, a plurality of wire coils, an end turn phase insulator, and at least one lead wire. The wire coils are wound through the slots of the stator and form end turns as they wind from slot to slot. The end turn phase insulator comprises an end turn separating portion and a lead wire restraining tab. The end turn separating portion is sandwiched radially between an inner end turn and an outer end turn. The lead wire restraining tab extends from the end turn separating portion and is partially wrapped over the outer end turn in a manner sandwiching the lead wire between the lead wire restraining tab and the outer end turn. This prevents the lead wire from migrating into the core of the stator. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100006682 | FOOD WASTE REDUCTION MECHANISM FOR DISPOSER - Various mechanisms for reducing food waste in a food waste disposer are disclosed. In each of the reduction mechanisms, structures are provided for shearing food waste as it passes through or past a rotating shredder plate of the disposer. Each of the reduction mechanism has a rotatable plate having a plurality of lugs positioned for rotation relative to an inner wall of a stationary ring. In one embodiment, the reduction mechanism includes a horizontal toothed ledge positioned above the stationary ring is used to enhance grinding the food waste. In another embodiment, the reduction mechanism includes a vertical rasping surface positioned above the stationary ring. In yet another embodiment, the reduction mechanism includes serrated edges added to the vertical leading edges of the teeth on the stationary ring. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100005691 | IDENTIFICATION ATTACHMENTS FOR COMPRESSION TOOLS - An identification attachment is provided for a compression tool of the character having a pair of jawarms pivotally mounted between a pair of side plates by pivot pins having outer ends including pin retainers for maintaining the jawarms and side plates in assembled relationship. The jawarms have opposite sides, inner and outer edges and front and rear ends, respectively forwardly and rearwardly of the side plates, and the identification attachment is removably mountable on the tool independent of any mounting openings for the attachment extending through the jawarms. The attachment may, for example, interengage with opposite sides of a jawarm or be captured on the tool by the pin retainers or the side plates. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100002744 | Method And System For Calibrating A Motor Control Circuit To Improve Temperature Measurement In An Electrical Motor - A method enables measurement of an inverter loss within a motor control circuit for an appliance. The method includes applying a constant DC current generated from a first AC supply voltage to a motor winding through an inverter at a first duty cycle, measuring a first voltage corresponding to the current through the motor at a motor current sense resistor, computing a first ratio of the first measured voltage at the motor current sense resistor to a first DC input voltage corresponding to the first AC supply voltage, identifying a second duty cycle from the first computed ratio, comparing the second duty cycle to the first duty cycle, and identifying a first inverter loss factor from the difference between the first duty cycle and the second duty cycle. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100001602 | Kit And Method For Attaching A Grounding Ring To An Electrical Motor - A method may be used to retroactively install a grounding ring on an electrical motor used with an inverter to reduce the likelihood that shaft currents affect motor bearings. The method includes securing a ring of conductive material to an endplate of an electrical motor at a position that enables a shaft extending through the endplate to pass through the ring, the ring of conductive material includes conductive material that extends from the ring to contact the shaft when the ring is secured to the endplate, and covering the ring of conductive material with a bearing cap that has an opening that enables the shaft to pass through the bearing cap. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100000414 | Vacuum Appliance Filter Assemblies and Associated Vacuum Systems - Vacuum cleaner filters, in particular replaceable vacuum cleaner filters suitable for both dry and wet/dry type vacuum cleaners are disclosed, as well as systems incorporating the use of such filters and methods for their use. The filters include a plurality of adjacently positioned pleats arranged in a closed circumferential, cylindrically-shaped path, a top end cap having a central orifice capable of constricting a post on a vacuum filter cage, and optionally a molded end ring oppositely-spaced from the top end cap for engagement with the motor housing of a vacuum cleaner. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20090322169 | COOLING TOWER SEALANT CONTAINMENT GASKET - A sealant containment gasket is provided for use on an electric motor to be used in a moist environment. The inventive gasket includes a first upright wall that covers a power-supply opening in the motor with a wiring passageway and further includes a second upright wall, at least a portion of which is spaced away from the first upright wall. The walls of the gasket cooperate to form a pocket to receive wiring extending through the opening in the motor. The pocket also defines a cavity between the walls with a filling hole disposed along a top margin thereof. Liquid sealant is inserted into the cavity through the filling hole when the motor is disposed right-side-up and on its feet in the assembly position. The liquid sealant is contained within the pocket and forms a barrier around the wiring passageway to prevent moisture from entering the motor. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090300213 | METHODOLOGY FOR CONFIGURING AND DEPLOYING MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF A SOFTWARE APPLICATION WITHOUT VIRTUALIZATION - A networked corporate information technology computer system is provided for implementing an enterprise software application. The computer system is comprised of a plurality of server computers networked together in a hub and spoke configuration that defines a hub computer system and at least one spoke computer system, where the hub and spoke computer systems have a shared infrastructure. The shared infrastructure is mediated at each of the hub and spoke computer systems by a profile data structure that identifies a pool of services and further defines a multiple tenant configuration based on port assignments. Each hub and spoke computer system is configured to selectively route data among themselves under control of a workflow system administered by the hub computer system, where the workflow system determines how data is routed to and from that computer system according to a predefined routing optimization scheme. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090293577 | JAW SET AND JAW SET SYSTEM WITH HINGED JAW ARMS FOR USE IN A PRESSING TOOL - A jaw arm for a compression tool is segmented by a hinge and has a front body portion pivotably connected with a main body portion by the hinge. A jaw recess is formed at one end of the jaw arm in the front body portion. A compression tool comprises a pair of parallel spaced apart side plates, and a pair of the hinged jaw arms pivotally mounted between the plates. The front body portions are pivotable relative to trhe main body portions to enable the compression tool to be used in areas with limited accessibility. In one form, the front body portions of the jaw set are mutually self-aligning. In a further form, the front body portions are pre-positionable relative to their respective main body portions to maintain the jaw arms in adjusted positions for additional ease of use in the areas with limited accessibility. In a still further form, the front body portions of the jaw set are both mutually self-aligning and pre-positionable relative to their respective main body portions. Jaw set systems include a pair of main body portions configured for use with a range of sets of symmetric and asymmetric front body portions for performing various operations such as pressing, crimping, gripping, holding and embossing on a range of workpieces. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090292502 | DRAIN CLEANING APPARATUS WITH ELECTRONIC CABLE MONITORING SYSTEM - A drain cleaning machine with an electronic cable monitoring system is disclosed which comprises a frame supporting a rotatable drum which is driven by a motor through an endless belt. The drum contains a flexible drain cleaning cable which is rotatable with the drum and axially displaceable into and out from the drum, and the frame supports a cable feeding device through which the cable extends and by which the cable is displaced into and out of the drum. An electronic cable monitoring system is configured to assess an amount of cable payed out from and retracted into the drum. A process determines an amount and direction of relative movement between a rotatable drum and a cable follower member and generates a signal representative of an amount of cable payed out or retracted into the drum. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090289513 | Cooling System for a Motor and Associated Electronics - A cooling system is provided for an electric motor having control circuitry and including a motor housing surrounding the motor. The motor drives at least one radial fan at one end thereof for directing airflow through the motor housing across the motor. A fan housing encloses the cooling fan and defines a diverter chamber radially outboard of the fan that is sized to divert a portion of the airflow away from the electric motor. A control box contains the control circuitry and includes a base having a heat sink for contacting the control circuitry. The base defines a plenum in communication with the diverter chamber and a channel in communication with the plenum and the heat sink to direct the diverted airflow across the heat sink. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090266113 | Appliance Having A Vibration Detection Device - A laundry appliance having a vibration detection device includes a frame, a drum received in the frame, and an electric motor assembly for driving the drum. The electric motor assembly includes an electric motor and an integrated motor controller mounted to the electric motor. An accelerometer as the vibration detection device is provided in the motor controller for detecting vibration of the drum. By integrating the accelerometer to the electric motor assembly, the laundry machine can more accurately detect vibration of the drum and the time and cost for assembling the washing machine are reduced. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090265882 | EASY ACCESS FILTER ASSEMBLY FOR A WET/DRY VACUUM APPLIANCE - Described herein are improved wet/dry vacuum appliance assemblies and associated systems which facilitate the ease of removal of the filter assembly from within the appliance itself. The vacuum appliance assemblies described include a drum, a lid assembly adapted to removably mount on or to hinge on the drum, and a filter assembly housed within the lid assembly, wherein the lid assembly comprises a removable component such that if the removable component is removed, the filter assembly is accessible. Also described herein are methods of removing such a filter assembly from a wet/dry vacuum appliance, wherein the method includes removing a component of the lid assembly of the wet/dry vacuum in order to make the filter assembly accessible, grasping a handle of a filter assembly housed within the lid assembly of the wet/dry vacuum appliance, rotating the filter assembly so as to disengage it from a sealing relationship with the lower portion of an interior region of the lid assembly, and then removing the filter assembly from the vacuum appliance by pulling generally in an upward direction. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090195109 | ELECTRIC MACHINE - A stator assembly adapted for use in an external rotor electric motor. The assembly includes a stator core having a hub, a plurality of teeth extending radially outward from the hub, a root tooth diameter and an outer diameter. Each tooth has a root, a neck extending from the root and a head opposite the root. The neck has a maximum width. Each adjacent pair of teeth has a pitch measured at the roots of the corresponding teeth. The assembly includes a winding wrapped around each tooth of at least three teeth of the stator core. A ratio of the root tooth diameter of the stator core to the outer diameter of the stator core is less than about 0.75. A ratio of the maximum tooth neck width to the tooth pitch measured at the root of the teeth is greater than about 0.36. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090188064 | Food Waste Disposer Scouring Scrub Device - A scrub device having a central core and multiple flexible strands of a polymeric material can be placed into a food waste disposer, which is then turned on, and the low mass and low inertia of the scrub device permits a spinning motion to promote frictional cleaning by the flexible strands. Multiple geometries of the scrub devices provide for different cleaning motions. The material of both the central core and flexible strands can be ground or can be retained during operation of the disposer while preventing disposer damage permitting the scrub device to be permanently left in the disposer. Holding and extraction tools are provided for manual cleaning motion or removal of the scrub devices. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090136357 | Bi-Directional Cooling Fan - A radial fan comprises a base with a plurality of straight primary blades radially oriented and substantially uniformly spaced around the circumference of the base. A like plurality of splitter vanes are interspersed between successive primary blades. The splitter vanes have a length that is about 50-70% of the length of the primary blades. The inner edges of the splitter vanes are angled to improve airflow through the inlet area between primary blades while reducing the occurrence of vortices and recirculation. The addition of splitter vanes increases the airflow capacity of the fan without any significant increase in operating noise. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090123293 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF DRIVING MULTIPLE SHAFTS IN A WET/DRY VACUUM AND LIQUID PUMP - The present disclosure provides a method and system to supply pumping capabilities to a wet and dry vacuum cleaner. A single motor can operate a vacuum unit and the pump distinct from the vacuum unit. A port in the vacuum flow path can act as a vacuum tap to prime the pump when necessary. The pump can directly pump the fluids without having to flow first into the drum container of the vacuum cleaner. The system can allow independent operation of the vacuum unit and the pump and at different, more optimal speeds for each, allowing a higher performance on each of the vacuum unit and the pump, since maximum power for the system can be provided to either the operating device while the other one is not operating. Accordingly, the disclosure further provides a system and method for separately engaging and disengaging the vacuum unit and the pump. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090120686 | Electric Power Terminal Feed-Through - A power terminal feed-through incorporates a metallic body through which extend one or more current conducting pins that are hermetically sealed to the metallic body by a glass-to-metal seal. The metallic body includes an annular lip with a protrusion. During welding installation of the power terminal feed-through, the protrusion serves to assist in the welding process, better controlling the location and definition of the weld between the metallic body and a housing, and to focus the welding heat at the protrusion, thereby protecting the glass-to-metal seal. The glass-to-metal seal can be a single glass insert through which the current conducting pins extend, thereby reducing the pin circle diameter and the overall size of the power terminal feed-through. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090113906 | Air Damper Units With Improved Air Flow - A sliding door air damper unit for a refrigerator includes a base plate having an aperture, a sliding door slidably mounted on the base plate for controlling air flow through the aperture, and a modular driving assembly for driving the sliding door. The modular driving assembly includes a housing defining an inner space, a cam device suspended from the housing and a motor mounted on the housing. The sliding door is driven by the cam device to move back and forth and can slide through a gap between the cam device and the base plate. The travel distance of the sliding door is increased and thus the aperture can be made larger to allow more air to flow through the aperture. The sliding door air damper unit allows a refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator to quickly reach a predetermined temperature setting. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090087258 | LOCKING DRIVE HUB AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - A locking drive hub and method of use comprising a drive hub inner element having a slit and a drive hub inner element diameter; and a drive hub outer element; wherein the drive hub outer element is capable of decreasing the drive hub inner element diameter. The drive hub inner element may comprise a plurality of tap holes and/or may have a slope, preferably an inclined slope. The drive hub outer element may comprise a plurality of clearance holes and/or my have a slope, preferably a decline slope. The locking drive hub may also comprise a plurality of hardware, such as screws or bolts, and/or a plurality jack screw holes. It is envisioned that this device may preferably engage and disengage a shaft such as a shaft of a generator or motor. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090070955 | Snap-Together Wet Nozzle for Vacuum Appliance - A snap-together wet nozzle for use with a vacuum assembly is described, as well as a removable squeegee assembly for use in combination with a wet nozzle for a vacuum assembly. The snap-together wet nozzle includes an elongated, generally U-shaped nozzle housing having outwardly tapering walls, spaced apart closed ends, and a connecting tube passageway for association with a vacuum-producing means, such as a wet/dry vacuum, and further includes a squeegee assembly capable of being insertably mounted within the elongated, generally U-shaped nozzle housing. The squeegee assembly generally includes a squeegee element comprising a plurality of openings extending through the squeegee element; a first, elongated squeegee bar having spaced apart end grooves at each of its ends; and a second, elongated squeegee bar having spaced apart locking end tabs at each of its ends and a plurality of vanes spaced across the interior face of the bar, wherein when the squeegee assembly is assembled and ready for insertion into the nozzle, the squeegee element is located intermediate between the first and second squeegee bars, and wherein the first and second squeegee bars interlock by the engagement of the end tabs of the second squeegee bar with the end grooves of the first squeegee bar. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090060763 | Mounting Flange, Pump Having Mounting Flange and Mold for Mounting Flange - A mounting structure for mounting a device to an electric motor having an output shaft, the mounting structure comprising:
| 03-05-2009 |
| 20090060477 | FOOD WASTE DISPOSER WITH PWM BASED CONTROL OF GRINDING PROFILE - A food waste disposer has a motor driven with pulse width modulation (“PWM”). A grinding profile is controlled based on PWM values of the PWM controller driving the motor. In an aspect, controlling the grinding profile includes varying the speed of the motor based on the PWM values. In an aspect, the grinding profile is initiated after the food waste disposer is started and a PWM value exceeds a set value indicating the presence of a grinding load in a grinding section of the food waste disposer. In an aspect, it is determined that the grinding load has been sufficiently ground once the PWM value does not exceed a first set value after the grinding profile has been initiated. In an aspect, corrective action is initiated when the PWM value exceeds the set value after a predetermined period of time. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090021401 | System and method for verifying entry of keystrokes received from a capacitive keypad - A method for resetting a key decoder coupled to a plurality of capacitive keys to prevent processing of a key code generated by a ghosting condition. The method includes receiving a key code from a key decoder that corresponds to a first capacitive key of a capacitive keypad, detecting a ghosting condition for a second capacitive key that does not correspond to the detected key code, and resetting a key decoder in response to the ghosting condition being detected. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090013523 | TOOL FOR POWERED PRESSING OF CABLE CONNECTORS - A press frame for attaching connectors to workpieces such as cables and pipes is described. The press frame is adapted to be releasably attached to a hand-held, battery powered press tool. The press frame includes selectively interchangeable components that enable a wide range of different styles, sizes, and configurations of electrical connectors to be attached to cables. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090010625 | Flow Through Heater - An improved construction for a flow-through heater for heating water or other liquid and/or generating steam is disclosed. The flow-through heater has a cylindrical member formed from an inner tubular portion and an outer tubular portion that extends over a portion of the exterior surface of the inner tubular portion. The outer tubular portion houses a plurality of heating elements, which can be electrically connected in series or in parallel, thus providing more control over the heat distribution from the heater to the fluid flowing through it. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20080315715 | ROTOR CORE ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRIC MOTOR - A rotor core assembly for an electric motor includes a stack of laminations and first and second end plates disposed at opposite ends of the stack of laminations. A plurality of concentric fastener holes extend through the laminations and the end plates for receiving stainless steel pins. Each pin has a head against one of the end plates, and each pin has spaced apart grooves thereon extending from the other end plate. A stainless steel collar engages each of the pins and contacts one of the end plates. Each collar has a deformed portion in at least one of the grooves of the pin. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080307807 | Air Damper Units for Refrigerators and Control Methods Therefor - An air damper unit for a refrigerator includes a printed circuit board, a sliding door movably mounted to the printed circuit board, a damper position sensor for detecting the position of the sliding door, and a driving mechanism. The sliding door regulates the air flow from a freezer compartment into a refrigerator compartment. A microcontroller is mounted on the printed circuit board for controlling the operation of the sliding door. The microcontroller controls the driving mechanism according to a signal corresponding to a position of the sliding door from the damper position sensor. The continuous feedback from the damper position sensor enables the microcontroller to more effectively control the operation of the sliding door and maintain the temperature setting of the refrigerator compartment. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080302891 | FOOD WASTE DISPOSER WITH DISHWASHER INLET AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A food waste disposer has a food conveying section, a motor section and a central grinding section disposed between the food conveying section. The motor section includes a motor having a motor shaft coupled to a rotatable plate of a grinding mechanism in the grinding section. An anti-vibration mount is disposed around an inlet of the food conveying section. The food conveying section includes a housing, which can be a plastic molded housing, having dishwasher inlet having an outer portion extending outwardly from the housing and an inner portion extending into the housing that is removably received in the housing. The inner portion of the dishwasher inlet may be slidably received in the housing with the housing including grooves on opposed sides of an opening that receive tongues on opposed sides of a body of the inner portion of the dishwasher inlet. The inner and outer portions of the dishwasher inlet have passageways connected by the opening in the housing when the inner portion of the dishwasher inlet is in place. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080301871 | Mount System For A Food Waste Disposer - A food waste disposer mounting assembly uses a stainless steel sink-flange with a screw-on collar system as a primary mounting system to a sink. By connecting the stainless steel sink-flange with a bayonet locking reed collar and screw-on nut collar, a vibration and sound transmission path to the sink is both reduced and rendered indirect. Incorporation of reed switches with a stopper and magnets can modify the unit for use as a batch-feed disposer. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080296996 | End Cap For Segmented Stator - A stator for an electromagnetic machine includes a plurality of discrete and individually wound stator segments having end caps positioned on the segments. The end caps have legs for positioning the end cap on the segments with an interference fit. The end caps have angled surfaces to facilitate winding of wire on the segments. The end caps have male and female couplings that mate together to couple adjacent segments together. The end caps have fingers and slots for aligning the segments on substantially the same plane. The end caps have wire isolation features, including hooks, shelves and ledges, for separating the interconnect wires routed on the stator to electrically interconnect the segments. The segments include scalloped contours on their outer edges for draining oil, and the end caps have passages for draining oil. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080246357 | MOTOR HAVING A THRUST SYSTEM - An electric motor includes a stator and a rotor having a rotor shaft with a longitudinal axis. The rotor shaft has a locating groove formed substantially continuously around the rotor shaft. The locating groove has a base and a pair of opposing sidewalls. The base is arranged substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. The pair of opposing sidewalls extends from the base wall substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The motor includes a thrust system mounted on the rotor shaft, and a locator disposed in the groove for locating the thrust system in a predetermined position along the rotor shaft. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080244816 | CLOSET AUGER - A toilet auger includes a first elongate tubular housing, a second elongate tubular housing, a drain cleaning cable, a driven member, and a feed mechanism. The first elongate tubular housing includes a rotational axis. The second elongate tubular housing receives at least a portion of the first housing. The drain cleaning cable is disposed in the first housing and includes a portion disposed generally along the rotational axis. The cable operatively engages the first housing such that rotation of the first housing about the rotational axis causes the cable to rotate generally in the rotational axis. The driven member connects to the first housing for rotating the first housing about the rotational axis to rotate at least a portion of the drain cable generally in the rotational axis. The feed mechanism engages the cable and is configured to axially displace the cable as the cable rotates generally in the rotational axis. A method for removing an obstruction from a toilet drain is also disclosed. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080203846 | Horizontal axis washing machine having 4 pole 36 slot motor - A horizontal axis washing machine includes a clothing receptacle rotated by a 4 pole rotor. A 36 slot stator having an interior bore with an interior diameter receives the 4 pole rotor in magnetic coupling relation and capable of operating within a flux weakening range of at least 5:1. The stator has a ratio of an interior diameter to a minimum exterior diameter greater than or equal to 0.63:1. | 08-28-2008 |
